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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Good news!: PhilHealth members to get up to P20K free medicines yearly

Good news!: PhilHealth members to get up to P20K free medicines yearly

Published Aug 18, 2025 01:22 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO)
(MB FILE PHOTO)
Starting August 21, members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) may avail up to P20,000 worth of outpatient medicines annually under the enhanced Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (PhilHealth GAMOT), the state-run insurer announced Monday, August 18.
The drug benefit package, detailed in PhilHealth Circular No. 2025-0013, is part of the PhilHealth YAKAP Program.
According to PhilHealth, the package covers 75 types of medicines used for treating infections, asthma and COPD, diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart conditions, nervous system disorders, and other supportive therapies.
To access the benefit, the agency said members must register with a PhilHealth YAKAP Clinic and undergo a medical assessment.
PhilHealth said doctors will issue prescriptions containing a Unique Prescription Security Code (UPSC), which members may present with a valid government-issued ID at any GAMOT-accredited facility.
Accredited outlets as of the rollout date include:
• Vidacure (Muntinlupa and Quezon City)
• Pharma Gen Ventures Corp. (Generika Drugstore branches in Parañaque, Navotas, Quezon City, and Taguig)
• CGD Medical Depot Inc. at Vertis North
• Chinese General Hospital
PhilHealth said 24 more facilities in Metro Manila have applied to join the program, as the agency seeks to expand its partner network nationwide.
PhilHealth president and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado said the expansion addresses the burden of out-of-pocket spending for essential medicines.
“Noong 2023, nailunsad na natin ang PhilHealth GAMOT ngunit ito ay naisagawa lamang sa iilang probinsya. Kaya naman ngayon mas pinalawak na natin ito (In 2023, we launched PhilHealth GAMOT but it was only implemented in a few provinces. That’s why we have expanded it now),” he said.
“Karapatan ng bawat Filipino na magkaroon ng access sa mga kinakailangang gamot nang hindi pinapasan ang mabigat na gastusin mula sa sariling bulsa (It is the right of every Filipino to have access to the medicines they need without bearing the heavy cost out of their own pocket).”
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